7 h. ago Protesters greet JD Vance as he arrives in Scotland for family holiday

The vice-president has touched down in Scotland amid a row over the cost of his visit to taxpayers

Events

3 d. ago Trump promised to be a dictator on day one. We’re now past day 200

Donald Trump’s second term has seen a sustained assault on democratic institutions – political, judicial, media, cultural, academic – that appears to be only accelerating The anger was raw and resolute. Speaking at the Republican congressman Mike Flood’s town hall in Lincoln, Nebraska, a woman pointed to the estimated $450m cost of “Alligator Alcatraz”, an immigration detention facility in Florida. “How much does it cost for fascism?” she demanded. “How much do the taxpayers have to pay for a fascist country?”The crowd erupted in applause and whoops. In the week that Donald Trump marked his 200th day in office, few mainstream political commentators are bandying around terms such as “fascist”. But many are warning of a societal march towards authoritarianism that, far from losing momentum, appears to be gathering pace. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Hellbent on arrest, more than 360 activists of outlawed Palestine Action goad police to detain them

Militant protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after more than 360 deliberately forced police to arrest them.

Events

4 d. ago Right to Buy discounts have cost taxpayers £200 billion since days of Thatcher

A report from the Common Wealth think tank shows the 1.9 million council homes sold in England since 1980 are now worth £430 billion

Economics

1 week ago 'Gangster granny' and Bitcoin thief cop among UK criminals locked up in July

A 92-year-old murderer and the men who cut down the Sycamore Gap tree were also put behind bars last month

Events

3 w. ago Trump administration to destroy nearly $10m in contraceptives

Long-acting contraceptives will not be sent abroad to women in need, a move costing US taxpayers $167,000The Trump administration has decided to destroy $9.7m worth of contraceptives rather than send them abroad to women in need.A state department spokesperson confirmed that the decision had been made – a move that will cost US taxpayers $167,000. The contraceptives are primarily long-acting, such as IUDs and birth control implants, and were almost certainly intended for women in Africa, according to two senior congressional aides, one of whom visited a warehouse in Belgium that housed the contraceptives. It is not clear to the aides whether the destruction has already been carried out, but said they had been told that it was set to occur by the end of July. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump administration to destroy nearly $10m of contraceptives for women overseas

As part of president’s end to foreign aid, destruction of the long-acting contraceptives will cost US taxpayers $167,000The Trump administration has decided to destroy $9.7m worth of contraceptives rather than send them abroad to women in need.A state department spokesperson confirmed that the decision had been made – a move that will cost US taxpayers $167,000. The contraceptives are primarily long-acting, such as IUDs and birth control implants, and were almost certainly intended for women in Africa, according to two senior congressional aides, one of whom visited a warehouse in Belgium that housed the contraceptives. It is not clear to the aides whether the destruction has already been carried out, but said they had been told that it was set to occur by the end of July. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Trees seem to matter more than women in criminal justice system, says Jess Phillips after Sycamore Two jailed

She criticised how some sex offenders avoid prison when the two men who felled the Sycamore Gap tree were jailed for four years and three months

Events

4 w. ago Sycamore Gap tree felled by 'moronic' duo will cost taxpayer £1 million

The 'irreplaceable' tree was chopped down in the dead of night by two men who were described as 'mornic' in court

Economics

4 w. ago Cost of Sycamore Gap tree vandals' drunken stunt revealed as pair jailed

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were both sentenced to four years and three months in prison for their 'moronic' act of chopping down the Sycamore Gap tree

Events

4 w. ago Sycamore Gap 'drunken stunt' cost to taxpayer revealed as 'moronic' duo jailed

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers chopped down the tree for a mindless 'thrill' and then revelled in media coverage. Both were jailed for four years and three months.

Economics

4 w. ago Sycamore Gap duo told court it was 'just a tree' and 'didn't understand the fuss'

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, have been jailed for four years and three months after cutting down the iconic sycamore tree in a fold in the Northumberland landscape.

Events

4 w. ago Bizarre story of Sycamore gap duo and moment that 'tipped them over the edge'

Former friends turned enemies, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, were convicted of criminal damage to the immensely popular Sycamore Gap tree, which they claimed was felled in a 'drunken prank'

Politics

4 w. ago Baby killer Constance Marten set to appeal using legal aid, despite case already costing taxpayers £2.8m

Aristocrat Constance Marten is set to appeal her conviction for killing her baby in a case which has already cost taxpayers over £2.8million.

Economics

4 w. ago Two men who cut down Sycamore Gap tree in act of ‘sheer bravado’ jailed

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers showed no emotion as they were jailed for damaging the Sycamore Gap tree at Newcastle Crown Court

Events

4 w. ago The damning evidence that convicted 'moronic' Sycamore Gap tree duo: Arrogant pair thought they'd got away with tree felling that shocked the world.... but left vital clues

Detective Inspector Calum Meikle revealed officers were 'tipped off' about Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, involvement and seized their phones.

Events

4 w. ago Sycamore Gap tree feller finally admits the reason he cut down famous tree as pair jailed

The pair have been jailed for four years and three months

Events

4 w. ago Men who felled Sycamore Gap on 'moronic mission' dubbed 'humanity at its worst'

A court heard how Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, went on a 'moronic mission' to cut down the iconic tree at Sycamore Gap before filming its destruction

Events

4 w. ago Pair who felled Sycamore Gap tree jailed for over four years

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage to the much-loved tree.

Events

4 w. ago Sycamore Gap vandals reveal reason they chopped down famous UK landmark

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, have been jailed over the felling of the popular UK landmark, the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland - they offered a pathetic excuse

Politics